Father, I pray,__take into your family__this lonely wanderer__who can call no place, home,__whose life has no meaning,__who knows nothing of Your family fellowship.
Help me, by both life and lip__to show love in my heart,__to testify to present joys__and future expectations__that so graciously have been given__to us who belong to Your family circle.
Father, may nothing I do or say__reflect negatively upon our family Name;__may I turn no on from Jesus Christ.
Rather, use me, if You will,__to speak clearly__of sin and salvation,__to offer meaning and purpose__in forgiveness and faith.
Father, I pray,__save this guilty, alienated sinner__for Yourself,__opening wide the door__to Your earthly household of faith,__and, at length,__the heavenly home itself,__prepared from all eternity.________I ask this for Your Son’s sake,_________________Amen

Ah, tonight I shall sleep__and sleep well.__By Your strength, Lord,__this day__I have accomplished something__worthwhile.
It was hard work,__and I am spent.__Sleep will come swiftly__and will be sweet.
Other nights I have tossed and turned__after failing__to expend mobilized energies__on productive labor for You.__In the morning__I was more exhausted__than the night before.__But not tonight!
Thank you God__for wisdom and power__to know and do what was required.__Surely it was Your Spirit__Who made it possible__to accomplish anything good at all.__Yet, graciously, You have given me__not only knowledge and strength__but the satisfaction and joy__that accompany__a job well done.
To You be the honor, the__thanks and the praise._____________In Christ Jesus,_______________Your Son,________________Amen.

What hurts so much__is that there is nothing__I can do about it—__but pray.
But why should my weakness__frustrate me this way?
You, mighty God, are able,
You, loving Lord, are willing__to answer__the longings of my heart.
It’s only pride__that makes me angry__and gloomy__over my own inability.
Why shouldn’t I rather rejoice__over every occasion__on which Your power__is manifested__in my weakness?
Forgive me, cleanse me from sin.__Help me, with joy,__to rely on Your strength,__wait for Your reply__and__rest in Your wisdom.
Teach me to be glad__when all I can do__is pray.________________In Christ’s Name,____________________Amen

Prayer, O Lord, is difficult for me;__I find it easy to avoid—__or simply forget.
I cannot account for this__on any other ground__than my own sin;__far too often I have depended__on my own wisdom and strength.
Because I have worked at prayer__as I have at other tasks,__my love for You__has not been what it should.
But I do love You Lord!__You know that better than I.
I shall take up my pen__and ask__that by the discipline of my hand__You will train my heart to pray.
Help me to persevere__until my lips daily offer__sacrifices of praise__pleasing and acceptable you You.
I want to love You more__and, in Your Spirit’s strength,__serve You well.
So, warm my heart;__keep it from growing cold again__O Lord, my Strength__and my Redeemer._________I pray for Christ’s sake,________________Amen

Probably said thousands of times a week by Christians around the world when facing a problem or question without a present answer. Is it the right response?

It’s not wrong to pray about a matter, of course. But prayer is often used as a substitute for the hard work of studying God’s Word to discover the facts needed. Prayer doesn’t automatically “work” in solving problems. Christians need to learn this fact.

Moreover, when God has already answered a question or given directions, why should we want to shortcut the process of discovering what that answer is by simply praying about it? Should we expect God to tell us individually the answer we seek, when He has already done so in His Word?

But there is something “mystically” special to some people about prayer. They think of prayer as more spiritual that Bible study! There’s the heart of the matter. Is it superior? Both are from God each has its place, but prayer is no substitute for hard study to find out truth.

Indeed, here is one to think about: Why would our words (prayer) be considered superior, more spiritual, etc., to God’s Word (in Scripture)? Isn’t what He says far more important than what you hasve to utter?

Here I wait—again!__Waiting used to be so hard__because of my impatience.__But Lord I am learning__to fit my schedule to Yours.
There are times though, Lord,__when I still want what I want__when I want it;__and I am upset__when it doesn’t come.
Help me through today’s lesson__to learn that impatience with others__amounts to nothing less__than impatience with You—__and that is sin.
Teach me, O God of providence,__always to want what You want__for me__when You think it best__for me to have it.
And may I also learn—__by waiting—__both Your peace__and the joys of discovering__opportunities__that (otherwise) I would miss,______________for His sake,________________Amen.

“Unbearable,” did I say?__I take it back, Lord;__Forgive me for staining my lips__with the world’s language.
What I mean is__it hurts—it hurts a lot,__and I am having difficulty__bearing up.
But I know__You won’t test me__beyond my ability__to face pain__Your way.
And in time—Your time—__You have promised__to bring relief.__That expectation alone__helps immensely.
Help me also to remember__that others have endured successfully__among whom, principally,__was my Savior Himself,__Who bore all I am undergoing__—and much more.__It is He Who sets pain’s limits.
I must try to understand__something of the pain He suffered__for me.__That opportunity makes it all worthwhile__But there is more in this for me.__As at no other time I look forward__to the new body I shall receive,__a body weighed down__with everlasting glory.
As I see this__suddenly, thankfully,__I realize—by comparison—__my pain__is but a temporary, light affliction__that I can endure___________for my Savior’s sake,_________________Amen.

It isn’t more information that I need__to solve the problem that I face.
Nor have I failed to please You__because I lack the faith__to do what You command.
Indeed, my knowledge of Your will__far exceeds__the practice of my life;
And with but faith__the size of a mustard seed__I could do wonders—__if I only would.
Keep me, then, from these__or other like excuses, Lord,__I pray.
What then, is my difficulty?__Why am I struggling still__and not succeeding?
I confess the truth,__openly, plainly and without reserve.
The difficulty__is my unwillingness to obey—__to do what You want me to do,__to move ahead in faith,__in the face of feelings or fears!
That’s it, Lord—my problem__is simple disobedience.
Forgive me, God; I admit my sin__and commit myself anew to obedience__through Jesus Christ, my Lord,__________________Amen